The lights at Arrowhead Stadium shine brightest when the game is on the line. For over a decade, No. 87 has been the guy you want in that moment. The reliable hands, the clutch gene, the player who makes the impossible look routine. But even the greats have moments where the script flips. Moments where the sure thing suddenly isn't. Sunday was one of those nights for Travis Kelce.
On Wednesday's episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce made a candid admission, shouldering the blame for a critical fourth-quarter mistake that sealed the team’s 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.
"Gotta catch the ball," Kelce stated bluntly to his brother Jason. "Gotta catch the ball; we give ourselves a chance."
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce Takes Blame for Week 2 Blunder
The play in question was a second-and-goal from the six-yard line. The Chiefs were trailing 13-10 and could've taken the lead. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes fired a pass on a crossing route, but the ball caromed off Kelce’s hands. Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba snatched the interception and returned it 41 yards, flipping the game's momentum entirely. Philadelphia scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive, essentially putting the game out of reach.
Mahomes took responsibility post-game, suggesting he threw it "a tad too early," per The Spun's Andrew Holleran. But Kelce was having none of that excuse. On the podcast, he was unequivocal. "The ball was where it needed to be, when it needed to be," he insisted.
"I just gotta get my head around out of the break... It's one of those plays where it happens bang, bang, and I know that that's the window that it needs to be in. I know it's coming out of armpits and earholes or the offensive and defensive line getting their hands up, and I just gotta be able to get my head around right now so that I don't put myself in a position to let the ball surprise me like that," Kelce added.
This loss stings differently. It drops the defending champions to an unfamiliar 0-2 start, their first since 2014. And this feels like a sudden shift into neutral for a franchise accustomed to September success. The margin for error in the NFL is often thinner than a razor blade, and the Chiefs are learning that the hard way. One play can indeed derail an entire afternoon.
Week 3 Will Be a Test of Resilience for Chiefs
The aftermath revealed the team's character. Defensive end George Karlaftis was seen on the field post-game, offering Kelce a simple but powerful message: “Back to work.” This ethos, a hallmark of the Andy Reid era, will now be tested like never before.
Kelce’s frustration was palpable. He acknowledged the weight of his role, saying, “I need to answer that bell, man.” His self-criticism was balanced with a veteran’s perspective. He knows that pressing and trying to be Superman can often make things worse. The key now is trust—in the system, the coaches, and each other.
The stats underscore the struggle. The offense has yet to find its rhythm, converting just four of 12 third downs against the Eagles. Without key weapons Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, the offense looks out of sync. Mahomes’ 187 passing yards highlight the need for others to step up and for the stars to execute flawlessly.
Next stop: Sunday Night Football versus the 0-2 New York Giants. If the Chiefs rip off a win, the narrative flips from panic to patience. If they drop to 0-3, the whispers grow louder that this dynasty is running on nostalgia.
As the late Ken Kesey wrote, “You don’t lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.” Right now, No. 87 is walking point—helmet in hand, eyes forward—hoping the rest of the caravan follows.